((((anderson))))

Thank you for posting and for asking and saying what you feel. It is hard sometimes to get to know others outside for so long we stepped away from people and for so long we were in a place where it was not okay or safe to reach out. We stepped away from people in order to be safe and to keep going. In stepping away we isolated ourselves so that we would not be hurt.

To step back in sometimes is hard as we seem to have our guard up and rightfully so as that is all we have known because we had too and still do. So many people do not undertand those that are mentally or otherwise not okay. Maybe they do not understand that we are people too that are no different then them and they judge unknowingly before they get to know us. They do not understand that we are no different than anyone else.

Sometimes they are afraid that they may not say the right thing or that maybe they are not sure what to say. It takes time to build a relationship with anyone and sometimes when it is beginning guards are up on both sides. I know for us sometimes we have our guard up more than we even realize as that is how we always have had to be and it is hard to allow that guard to drop, even unknowingly.

People have no idea how many times they do not listen and how it hurts someone, sometimes they know they are doing this and sometimes they are not aware. But give yourself time to work this out. When we pulled away to step back out I know for us we tend to pull back automatically and it takes a lot to really allow anyone close. With great reason.

I know how much you want friends and it will happen. Keep trying and slowly opening up and in time you will get more comfortable and so will they. Starting slow and building is the safest way for anyone. But I do understand how you are feeling.

Just remember to breath hon and know that there is nothing wrong with you. Being different is what makes the world go around. Learning about others and being open takes however long it takes. Know that we are here and we are listening. We care and we are your friends always. We understand what you are saying and hope that what we said makes some sort of sense.

We can relate but sometimes getting our thoughts to convey what we are thinking is so hard. Know that you are doing what you need to do and in time things will change. Keep posting and sharing and if I have said anything wrong it was not meant that way. Sending gentle hugs and loving thoughts. Always.

dps